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How Detroit Disability Attorneys Can Help Your Credibility

If you are dealing with chronic pain and have filed for disability benefits, our Detroit disability attorneys may be able to help your claim get approved. Your credibility is based on the degree to which your claims about pain can be accepted. There are two key factors influencing your statement credibility, including consistency of your statements between each other and with other case information.

Social Security Determination

The Social Security Administration will examine your statements about pain as filed in your case record. This may include medical statements written by your physician as well as SSA forms that you filled out while applying for benefits. Any statements you made in connection with these claims as well as your testimony hearing will also be considered. It is essential to make sure that your statements are consistent across the board to ensure credibility. However, even if there are some inconsistencies that can be explained, such as pain fluctuation due to treatments ceasing, your case may remain credible. The adjudicator will contrast your statements to reports of other people undergoing similar issues with similar daily activities, work histories and behaviors.

Seeking Treatment

A history of seeking treatment and following treatment recommendations made by your physician goes a long way towards establishing your credibility. It demonstrates that you sought and followed your doctor’s orders and still experienced consistent pain. Despite your efforts to find pain relief, whether through medications, pain specialists or other treatments, your pain could not be managed in such a way that would allow you to return to work. The Social Security decision makers may not be as likely to believe your claims of pain if you have not been actively seeking treatment or making efforts to follow your prescribed treatment plans. Detroit disability attorneys may be able to help you explain any such lapses.